Morocco's King Mohammed VI inaugurates Economic and Social Council to 'develop new social charter based on major contractual agreements'.

Middle East Online

'Things materialize in their own good time'

RABAT - Morocco's King Mohammed VI expressed his "commitment to continue to make structural reforms" during the inauguration ceremony of Economic and Social Council in the city of Casablanca on Monday.

"As we set up the Economic and Social Council, we are not only injecting fresh momentum into the reform process I launched shortly after I assumed the leadership my loyal people, but we are also underlining the close link between genuine democracy and the achievement of human advancement and sustainable development," he said.

"The establishment of the Council today attests to an abiding desire to steer clear of demagogy and improvisation as we strive to build our democratic development model on a solid foundation. The Council’s creation process has taken time to come to fruition, reflecting a determination to make it an efficient governance tool in the area of development. Things materialize in their own good time," he added.

The Moroccan monarch called on the Council to "give top priority to developing a new social charter based on major contractual agreements", that will "create the right environment to meet the challenge of revamping the economy, boosting competitiveness, promoting productive investment and encouraging public involvement to achieve development at a faster pace", with a view to ensuring "an equitable distribution of the fruits of development, in keeping with principles of social justice and national solidarity."

The Moroccan monarch's speech came one day after demonstrations in all parts of the country demanded political and social reforms.

The Economic and Social Council is an advisory body approved the constitution and gives its views on the general orientation of the economy and its recovery. It is the first time that such body is set up.